Elastic wheel



June 5, 1923.

c. REUSE ELASTIC WHEEL Filed March 2. 1920 Patented June 5, 1923.

rates-r CHARLES REUSE, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM;

- (ELASTIC WHEEL. Y

Application filed March 2, 1920. Seriai No. 362,855.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GHARLns Rnusn, a subject of the King of Belgium, residing at Quai -au Charbon 25, Hal, Brussels, Belgium, have invented new and useful Elastic Wheels, of which the followingis a specification. 1

It has already been proposed to use blocks of rubber or like material capable of elastic 1O deformation for damping or deadening the shocks, vibration and oscillation in [mechanisms for haulage, in couplings, in suspensions, in wheels and so forth.

Such blocks have in particular been emp-loyed as dowels or plugs by means of which rigid members are elastically assembled; for example, the radial spokes onthe nave have been thus joined to the rim in certain vehicle wheels. i

The elastic material of which the dowel 'blocks' is made is shaped to correspond with recesses suited to the desired deformation.

The material may also be armoured in order that the stresses applied may be distributed throughout the mass of the blocks.

Such elastic meansof assembly present many advantages over arrangements of metallic springs which they replace; they have a greater capacity for absorbing shock, they are more readily applied, are less subject to breakage, re-act more gently, and so on.

Unfortunately the repeated deformation and continual friction to which the-blocks in question are generally exposed causea harmful heating-rand rapid destruction of the elastic material so that hitherto mechanisms assembledin this: fashion were not durable.

The present invention has for its purpose a construction permitting the utiliza effects of deformation of,

tion of the v vcaoutchouc'blocks in producing a contmu- OllS'CllCHlfi'ClOIl of pulverized graphite on the total surface of these blocks and particularly on the surface which is in contact with the metallic parts elastically mounted by these blocks.

A specific embodiment of the invention is shown in the annexed drawing in connection with an elastic vehicle wheel.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a transverse section of a wheel with elastic blocks such that acontinuou-s circulation of pulverized graphite on the total surface of the blocks is obtained automatically on the rotation of the wheel.

- blocks or dowels.

to Figure 1 of a modification.

Figure Qis a fragmentary View similar Figs. 3 and 4 are respectivelyend and side elevations of one of As. shown in Fig. 1 theradial armsof'the hub of the wheel end each in any annular'di'sc 5 forming a bracket bored parallel with the axis of the wheel. This bracket can slide freely between tWo corresponding brackets.

by the tyre 8. g I r The elastic assembling of the rigid brackets 5 .6, 6, is efiected by a dowel block 9 of soft rubber forming a plug.

through it is provided longitudinally with a series of, buried metallic reinforcements such as 10. It has longitudinal slots 11 upon its surface which may be supplement-' the elastic assembly 6, 6', integral with the rigid felly encircled v 10 This plug which has an axial opening space within the felly 7 is closed on each side by annular discs of dished metal plates felly. They are fastened on the outside against the faces of the brackets 6, 6 of this felly by bolts 18 or in any other suitable manner.

The central opening of; the disc. 15 is closed by a removable cover19 and the hole quite free to move while givingready access to its cap. 6

Openings provided in the sheet l5 oppositethe bores of the bracket 6 are also closed by removable covers 23. The central openis so shaped'as to leave the hub of thewheel i i ing of the disc 16 is closed by a flexible v sleeve 20 of beatenleather, rubber or other placed in the lodgments containing-the rubber blocks by the removal of the covers 23. The circulation of the graphite thus intro- 75 ed by annular g ooves 12. The bores of duced is brought about by the rotation of the wheel and by the deformation of the blocks. In the construction according to Figure l the graphite put in the centre of the wheel circulates round the brackets 5 and 6 and across the lodgments for the blocks through holes 24: under the suction and compression produced by the deformation of the blocks.

At the same time the graphite put directly into the lodgments is similarly circulated around the blocks as the result of their deformation.

The slots and channels 11 and 12 in the blocks further facilitate this circulation. It will be'noted that an annular space is left between the two linings 13 of each bracket 5 on the hub and this corresponds to the middle groove in the rubber block and to the openings of the passages 24.

In the modification shown in Figure 2 the wheel is not closed by sheet metal discs. Only the bores of the twin brackets 6, 6 are closed on their outer surface by suitable covers 25. In this case the graphite place in the lodgments and in the central hole through the block circulates simply around the block. Consequently the passages 24!, shown in Figure 1, are absent. The adja cent flanges of the linings of the brackets 5 and 6 are connected by means of a flexible sleeve 26 compressed at its ends by collars 27 so that the escape of graphite from the lodgment is prevented.

The purpose of the invention is to secure continualsupply of graphite to the whole surface of each elastic block so that all parts of this surface exposed to friction and to deformation are constantly coated and infiltrated by the graphite which is the conserving and lubricating material forthe rubber. This result is secured by the effect of the rotation of the wheel and the continual deformation suffered by the blocks in their lodgments. These defornnrtions result in a succession of compressions and rarefactions of greater or less intensity of the air in each lodgment and this results in a sucking in or pressing out of the graphite into and from the lodgments. In this way there results an actual circulation of graphite across the lodgments for the blocks and around the blocks which serve in a sense as suction and compression valves. These valves are thus bathed in a current of graphite dust which they set in motion, a currentwhich at the same time dusts the rubbing surfaces of the lodgments in whichthe block is enclosed. The complete lubrication of all rubbing parts is thus ensured automatically and methodically. It is methodic because the rate of circulation of the graphite in the lodgments around each block is proportional the speed of frictional movement between the rubbing surfaces and to the amplitude of the det ormation of the blocks.

The stretching that the rubber undergoes in consequence of this continual deformation opens its surface pores and so permits of a superficial infiltration of the graphite. The molecular friction resulting from deformation which is more prominent in the superficial parts is thus lessened by the constant lubrication by graphite and so the harmful heating and rapid destruction of the rubber are avoided, the graphite hindering the hardening and splitting of the rubber. Thus the graphite actsas a preservative for the rubber and maintains its elasticity;

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. In a wheel, a felloe having members provided with openings, a hub having members. provided with openings arranged between those of the felloe members, sovthat said felloe and hub members are arranged for relative eccentric movement, elastic blocks inv said openings, connecting said felloe members and hub members together, and means coacting with said felloe members to form lubricant containing chambers in which said openings and said elastic blocks are arranged.

2. In a wheel, a felloe having members provided with openings, a hub having members provided with openings arranged between those of the felloe members, so that said felloe and hub members are arranged for relative eccentric movement, elastic blocks in said openings, connecting said felloe members and hub n'iembers together, and means coacting with said felloe members to form lubricant containing chambers in which said openings and said elastic blocks are arranged, said blocks having peripheral ducts and said hub members having ducts .leading'to said openings from said chambers. V

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES REUSE.

W'itnesses:

L. BARETTE, Gno. J. BALDER. 

